A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Although still possible, it is far more common for female patients than for males to have a UTI.
Urinary Tract Infections can be classified into different types of infections, including:
An infection that has travelled farther up the urinary tract into the kidneys is the most dangerous type of UTI and could lead to severe complications like sepsis or kidney damage.
This is why you should always schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately if you display signs of a UTI and it persists despite using over-the-counter medications or home remedies.
The urinary tract does not typically harbour bacteria. However, a UTI can be brought on by bacteria that enter and grow in the urinary tract.
Various bacteria can bring on urinary tract infections and cystitis. For example, your digestive system contains Escherichia coli (E. Coli), which can easily be spread into the urinary system and most likely cause urinary tract infections.
Both men and women can get urethritis due to bacteria like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma. Since these bacteria can spread during sexual activity, both partners need medical care to prevent reinfection.
Due to restricted urinary flow or when urine travels back up from the bladder to the kidneys, certain people may also be more susceptible to infections.
People with diabetes are more likely to develop Urinary Tract Infections because their urine's high glucose (sugar) makes it easier for bacteria to grow. Diabetes may alter the body's immune system, making it more challenging to fight a UTI. The likelihood of getting a UTI rises as diabetes worsens.
Frequent Urinary Tract Infections could indicate a more severe underlying issue. Therefore, an inspection of the urinary tract is needed to rule out underlying abnormalities that could predispose the patient to infections, as well as those that could mimic infections.
In order to rule out a variety of disorders that increase the risk of urine infection, these inspections may involve X-ray imaging of the urinary tract (especially the kidneys and bladder) and telescope examination of the urethra and bladder.
Before beginning any antibiotic treatment, it is crucial to confirm the infection using a urine sample (MSU) at the time of symptoms.
The presence of a UTI can be confirmed with a mid-stream specimen of urine (MSU). Once collected, the urine specimen is sent to a laboratory to confirm the growth of the bacteria that cause Urinary Tract Infections and check the bacteria's sensitivity to various antibiotics.
If you have a UTI, Dr Louw-Waldi Vlok will first rule out urinary tract abnormalities and then establish an individualised treatment programme to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections. This typically includes a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.
Urinary tract infections are not primarily treated with surgery. However, surgery can address some complications and precipitating factors, such as the drainage of kidney abscesses. In addition, surgery can be used to treat some of the underlying defects that make a patient more susceptible to infection, such as removing stones or a blockage.
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